Kian had always known that power came with a price.
But he had never truly considered what his price would be.
What he was willing to lose.
What he was willing to become.
Now, as he stood in his office with Adrian watching him too closely, too carefully, Kian realized something.
Mercer had already lost this battle.
But Kian hadn't won yet.
Not completely.
Because Mercer wasn't just a man with power.
He was a man with nothing left to lose.
And that made him more dangerous than ever.
---
Kian exhaled, rolling his shoulders as he studied Adrian.
"So what are you really worried about?" he asked, voice even.
Adrian didn't answer immediately.
He just watched him.
Like he was trying to decide how much truth Kian could handle.
Finally, he sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"You're playing a game that doesn't have rules anymore," Adrian murmured.